Of all birds, hummingbirds are the smallest. There are 357 different species of hummingbirds. When they are born, they are black, and they do not have any hair or feathers. Newborn hummingbirds are approximately the same size as a penny. They can fly at 3 weeks of age. Babies become adults in less than one month.

Hummingbirds can be an excellent learning experience for your children. The bird’s heartbeat is approximately 1260 beats per minute. Hummingbirds twitter and chirp, but most species do not sing. It is the sound of wings flapping rapidly that gives this bird its name.

They are often docile with humans, but can be quite aggressive with other birds. While hummingbirds are known for hovering and flying, they cannot walk. A hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backwards. They have fewer feathers than other birds, and they have excellent memories. On average, they visit 1000 flowers each day.

The hummingbird’s diet includes more than nectar from flowers. While nectar is needed 7 times per hour to supply sugars for energy, they eat spiders and bugs for vitamins, minerals, and protein. But hummingbirds of all ages do love sugar. They even reject flowers that do not have a high enough sugar content. They want the sweetest flowers they can find. They are actually capable of detecting the sugar content in the nectar.

Hummingbird Gestation/Birthing Cycle

Hummingbirds usually lay 2 eggs, but they can lay 3 or 4. The eggs can be laid on different days. As incubation does not begin until all eggs have been laid, hatching of all eggs will occur on the same day.

The average incubation period is between 16 and 18 days. Cooler weather can extend the period up to 3 weeks. Depending on habitat, hummingbirds can lay eggs between 1 and 3 times per year.

How To Care For Baby Hummingbirds If Abandoned

Baby hummingbirds need special care if they were abandoned or fell from a nest. Supplies you will need include soap for your hands, a small container, an eyedropper, clean tissue, sugar, and a gooseneck lamp.

Always clean your hands thoroughly before touching the bird. Prepare a bed for your bird by lining the container with the tissue. The lamp’s bulb should be placed approximately 5 inches above the container. The heat from the bulb will keep him warm. The temperature should be between 85 and 90 degrees.

Prepare sugar water with 4 t. of water and 1 t. sugar. Fledgling and nesting birds will drink it. Offer the sugar water to the bird every half-hour.

When you find a hummingbird, make arrangements with your nearest wildlife center. While you should not try to feed hatchlings, fledgling and nestling birds also need specialized care.

Tips For Safely Photographing Baby Hummingbirds

These little birds are irresistible, but you must exercise care when taking pictures. As hummingbirds are amazingly sensitive to movement, create a blind so you are not detected. An easy method is to use a camouflage sheet. Whether the bird is in the nest or on a flower, he will not know you are there.

There are some additional points to consider when you want great pictures of these little birds. First, hummingbirds have poor night vision. Even after a baby’s eyes are open, he cannot see very well in the dark. This is a good reason to take pictures during the daytime.

Second, the babies cannot fly. If you want pictures of a bird in its earliest stages of life, take pictures of him in his nest. You should not remove a bird from its nest to take pictures.

Third, when a hummingbird develops the ability to fly, his speed can range from 25 to 30 mph. You will either need a special camera, or take pictures when he is not in motion. Although it varies from species to species, a hummingbird can flap its wings up to 200 times per second.

A fourth tip is to cater to the hummingbird’s need for nectar. If you are creative, and have space, consider planting a garden for your local hummingbirds. As hummingbirds are especially drawn to the color red, keep this in mind when you plant your garden. Red bee balm, red hollyhocks, coralbells, cardinal flowers, and honeysuckle are some examples. Your little hummingbirds will love the nectar, and you will love the beautiful pictures.

Take some time to watch the birds so you can understand their behavior and patterns. With a little patience, you can have a nice collection of hummingbird pictures.

Questions and Answers

Q: What do you call a baby hummingbird?

A: Similar to some other birds, baby hummingbirds are known as chicks. Depending on their developmental stage, they are also known as hatchlings, nestlings, and fledglings.

Q: How do hummingbirds feed their babies?

A: The hummingbird chick’s diet consists mainly of regurgitated insects and nectar. Before the mother teaches them how to find nectar and catch bugs, she feeds her babies these insects between 1 and 3 times per hour. The process involves inserting her beak down each young bird’s throat.

Although the babies start to leave the nest around 21 days after they hatch, the mother continues to feed them for a few days.

Q: What month do hummingbirds have babies?

A: In mild climates where hummingbirds live throughout the year, female hummingbirds can lay eggs during any month. However, the cooler the climate, the shorter the nesting season.

Q: How long for hummingbird eggs to hatch?

A: In most cases, it takes 16 to 18 days for hummingbird eggs to hatch. If the temperature is cool, it can take up to 3 weeks.

Q: When do baby hummingbirds open their eyes?

A: It usually takes more than a week for a baby’s eyes to open. On average, a newborn’s eyes are open 9 days after he has hatched.

Q: Can you touch a baby hummingbird?

A: It is best to avoid touching baby birds, but in some instances it may be necessary. You may have found an abandoned baby and want to obtain care for him. You may also be interested to learn mother hummingbirds often care for abandoned babies as if they were their own. If there is a nest nearby, you can gently place the abandoned baby in the nest.

Unlike many animals, hummingbirds do not have a sense of smell. It is only a myth that a bird will reject its young after it has been touched. The bird cannot detect human scent. As baby hummingbirds are small and fragile, it is easy to accidentally injure a baby. If you do need to move baby birds, be very careful.

Q: What do you do if you find a baby hummingbird?

A: The most sensible approach to take is to contact your closest wildlife center. You should be able to find an address and phone number on the internet. Individuals who work at these centers have plenty of experience in caring for abandoned birds.

If you cannot contact a center immediately, you can take steps to ensure the bird’s health and safety. As there are many predators that will attack and feed on baby birds, you should not simply leave him outdoors.

A second option, if there is no wildlife center in your area, is to contact a local veterinarian. Many vets have experience with wild birds as well as pet birds. You will know the bird is in good hands if he is cared for by a vet.

If you cannot find experienced assistance, you may need to help him yourself. Search around the area to see if you can locate a hummingbird nest. If you found the baby on the ground, he may have simply fallen out of the nest. You can carefully return him to the nest. An important point to keep in mind is female hummingbirds usually continue feeding their babies even if they have fallen out of their nests.

If you find a baby in a nest, though, you should not assume the mother has abandoned it. It is more likely that she is out searching for food. While some wildlife do abandon their young, this is rarely the case with hummingbirds.

In both situations, sit quietly for at least an hour where you cannot be seen, and wait for the mother to return. Whether the baby is on the ground or in the nest, its mother may not be far away. As the babies must be fed frequently, do not be surprised if she comes back.

Only if you become certain that he has been abandoned should you take action yourself. Keep in mind he will have the best chance at survival if he is cared for by an expert. No matter how adorable he is, resist the urge to keep him as a pet.

Q: What can you feed a baby hummingbird?

A: Before he is picked up by an expert, you can feed the baby a solution of sugar and water. This will not provide adequate nutrition on a long-term basis, so he will need experienced assistance within 24 hours.

Hummingbirds are among the nicest birds in the world. If you are lucky enough to live near hummingbirds, they can be an exciting part of your life. Baby hummingbirds can make your days truly special, and the children in your family will be delighted to learn about one of nature’s most beautiful birds.